Councillor Peray Ahmet, Leader of Haringey Council, has approved the appointment of two new trustees to the Haringey Culture Collective (HCC) Board, bolstering its capacity to deliver the London Borough of Culture 2027 programme.
Emete Kirton, an Art Director and Partner at HATO Studio and HATO Press, and Marcus Davey, former Chief Executive and Artistic Director at the Roundhouse, will join the board. Their appointments follow a skills audit that identified specific gaps in areas such as cultural leadership, community representation, and specialist expertise.
The HCC Board was initially formed with five trustees, comprising three council officers and two independents, with the intention to expand its membership. The new trustees are expected to provide strategic oversight, attending four board meetings per year. They will also be responsible for ensuring all financial and organisational decisions are made in the best interests of the charity and the borough, acting as a critical friend
and ambassador for Haringey's cultural future.
Emete Kirton brings strategic design experience and a track record in inclusive cultural projects. A resident of N17, she has experience across fashion, food, design, and community-led creative ecosystems. Marcus Davey, who has a long-standing connection to Haringey, having lived in the borough for many years and engaged with its music and youth arts services, brings over 25 years of senior cultural leadership and expertise in large-scale creative governance.
In addition to these targeted appointments, an open recruitment process has been initiated to find up to two further trustees. This process, which closes on 20 April 2026, aims to ensure transparency and representation. Priority areas for recruitment include legal and financial expertise, as well as community representation from under-represented groups such as Latine, Black British/African/Caribbean, Turkish/Kurdish heritage, LGBTQI+, disabled residents, and local residents more broadly.
Recommended candidates from the open recruitment will be presented for Council approval in May 2026. The Haringey Culture Collective aims to ensure the London Borough of Culture 2027 programme is truly inclusive by celebrating Haringey's commitment to equality and fighting for people's rights across all protected characteristics. The programme will also tackle inequities associated with socio-economic status by opening up opportunities in the creative sector to disadvantaged young people. The overall emphasis on community and bringing groups together to share and celebrate diverse cultures will contribute to improved community cohesion.
These appointments support the Council's strategic aims under Theme 7 of the Corporate Delivery Plan 2024-2026: a Culturally Rich Borough, by expanding cultural opportunities, strengthening community engagement, and delivering the London Borough of Culture 2027 as a flagship inclusive programme.
The decision was made under the Leader's delegated authority, as outlined in the Council's Constitution, and is considered a non-key decision as it does not involve significant expenditure or impact communities across two or more wards.
More information on the appointments can be found in the Appointment of New Trustees for Haringey Culture Collective report.
